Starting in the main square, you can first visit the the Kon-Tiki Museum. The musuem highlights Thor Heyerdahl who crossed the Pacific on a small raft of balsa wood called the Kon-Tiki. The museum has the original raft and items of Thor, and you can watch the Kon-Tiki museum there for free too. Next, you can visit the Fram Museum, across the street. It houses many historical artifacts of Oslo and is a great way to experience the culture and history of the city and the people. Another great museum is the Viking Ship Museum, which contains 4 intact viking ships. It’s a huge tourist attraction and a must see. The ships date from the 9th century and the museum has original artifacts like sledges, carts, ornaments and tools.
From there, you can visit the Vigeland sculpture park which houses over 200 sculptures by Gustav Vigeland. The sculptures take a while to get through, but they’re extremely strange and interesting and worth a visit. It’s a big tourist attraction and make for some great photos. From there, you can visit City Hall and see a piece of history and government, and catch a ferry from there to the home of the Nobel Peace Prize. There is a small museum there, called Bygdøy where you can see the history behind the Nobel Prize and you can see where the prize is presented every year.
Dining in Oslo Norway
For lunch, you can go to the very popular areas (by tourists and locals) of Grünerløkka, Gamlebyen and Grønland. Here, you can find all types of foods at all price points and many great cafes and bars. Next, you can visit the Opera House and get a guided tour of the futuristic building. The building is iconic and famous for it’s architecture, but is even more beautiful from the inside. If you have time, it is highly recommended to catch a ballet inside. After that, you can walk down Karl Johan street, which is a shopping district and look for some traditional crafts, souvenirs and artwork. Lastly, you can visit the Royal Palace in Oslo, where the King and Queen of Oslo live and work. The architecture is stunning and breathtaking, and you can take a guided tour of it too if you’re interested.
You may want to consider buying the Oslo Pass when you arrive in Oslo. A 24 hour pass gives you free entry to most national museums and attractions, as well as access to all of Oslo’s public transport. You also get free access to swimming pools, walking tours and many other discounts at restaurants and cafes.
Activities
Visit the Viking Ship Museum. The museum houses three Viking ships excavated from burial mounds in the Oslofjord. The ships date back to the 9th century and are well preserved.
Take a stroll in Vigeland Park. This is the largest sculpture park in the world made by a single artist. The park has over 200 bronze, granite, and cast iron sculptures made by Gustav Vigeland.
Explore the Akershus Fortress. This medieval fortress is located on a hill overlooking the Oslofjord. It was built in the 13th century to protect the city from invaders. Visitors can explore the castle’s halls, visit the Norwegian Resistance Museum, and enjoy the stunning views of the city and fjord.
Visit the Munch Museum. The museum houses an extensive collection of paintings by the famous Norwegian artist Edvard Munch, including his most famous work, “The Scream.”
Discover the Opera House. The Norwegian Opera and Ballet House is a beautiful building with a distinctive sloping roof that visitors can walk on, offering panoramic views of the city.
Explore the city center. Oslo’s city center is a great place to explore on foot. Visit the Royal Palace, stroll down the pedestrian street Karl Johans Gate, and stop by the Nobel Peace Center.
Enjoy a traditional Norwegian meal. Norway has lots of great seafood, so be sure to try some fresh salmon or cod while you’re in Oslo. You could also try traditional Norwegian dishes like reindeer stew or brown cheese.
